- #1
Paul Gray
- 11
- 0
Hello there :),
We have a molniya orbit with an eccentricity of [itex]e = 0.72[/itex] and a semi-major axis [itex]a = 26554 [km][/itex].
The task:
Calculate the angular displacement of the ascending node Ω after 100 sidereal days
Moreover I know from Wikipedia that a molniya orbit has an inclination of [itex]i = 63.4 [deg][/itex].
I considered using following formula
[tex]\Delta\Omega = - \frac{3\pi J_2 R_E^2}{a^2 (1-e^2)^2} * cos i [/tex]
But I am pretty sure it is the wrong formula, because time doesn't matter in it. (Even it has an Ω at the beginning ;)).
Hence I hope on insightful input provided by you :). Thank you for your help!
Paul
Homework Statement
We have a molniya orbit with an eccentricity of [itex]e = 0.72[/itex] and a semi-major axis [itex]a = 26554 [km][/itex].
The task:
Calculate the angular displacement of the ascending node Ω after 100 sidereal days
Homework Equations
Moreover I know from Wikipedia that a molniya orbit has an inclination of [itex]i = 63.4 [deg][/itex].
The Attempt at a Solution
I considered using following formula
[tex]\Delta\Omega = - \frac{3\pi J_2 R_E^2}{a^2 (1-e^2)^2} * cos i [/tex]
But I am pretty sure it is the wrong formula, because time doesn't matter in it. (Even it has an Ω at the beginning ;)).
Hence I hope on insightful input provided by you :). Thank you for your help!
Paul